For immediate release

Contact: Cassie King, (510) 507-8075, cassie@directactioneverywhere.com

VIDEO: Activists Protest Stanislaus County DA, Urging Prosecution of Calf Ranch for Animal Cruelty

Drone video obtained by Direct Action Everywhere shows calves kicked in the face, yanked by their tails, and disbudded with hot irons at a Ceres calf ranch linked to Clover Sonoma

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Photos/Videos from Today’s Protest

Video from the Investigation
(Credit: Direct Action Everywhere)

June 3, 2026, Modesto, CA - Animal rights activists with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) protested at the Stanislaus District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, calling on the DA to prosecute Agresti Calf Ranch in Ceres for criminal animal cruelty. The protest follows last month’s release of a DxE investigation showing illegal animal cruelty at Agresti, including calves kicked in the face, dragged by their tails, and disbudded with hot irons until they collapsed in pain. The footage was published on FactoryFarmWatch.org and reported on by The Los Angeles Times, Modesto Bee, Turlock Journal, and other outlets.

According to DxE investigators and attorneys, the footage at Agresti depicts conduct that violates California’s animal cruelty statute. DxE attorney Jon Frohnmayer reported these violations to the Stanislaus County District Attorney, Sheriff, and Animal Services on February 27th, 2026, one day after the cruelty was documented. To date, there has apparently been no enforcement action against the company. 

On Wednesday, the activists first entered the DA’s office to deliver a letter from DxE attorney Jon Frohnmayer asking DA Jeff Laugero to hold Agresti Calf Ranch accountable for animal cruelty inflicted via its employees, under California Penal Code Section 599b. The letter states, “Agresti has apparently fired a worker, but this is far from sufficient for accountability. Under California Penal Code Section 599b, the acts and omissions of employees and agents must be imputed to the corporation itself.” The letter was delivered electronically to the DA and Sheriff on Monday as well.

Terry Seese, the Chief of the DA’s Bureau of Investigation, came to speak to the advocates. He took the letter and confirmed the DA’s office is aware of the footage taken at Agresti Calf Ranch, but deflected responsibility onto the Sheriff’s office, which has not made a referral. Advocates pointed out the Sheriff has had the footage — undeniable evidence of animal cruelty — for over three months and has not taken action despite numerous requests.  

Next, the activists protested outside the DA’s office holding a banner and signs reading “Factory Farms Are Not Above the Law.” They gave speeches and chanted, “Jeff Laugero, do your job.”

“The footage from Agresti Calf Ranch reveals shocking and systematic cruelty to young calves,” said DxE attorney Jon Frohnmayer. “Kicking, punching, and torturing animals with pliers and hot irons is animal cruelty under California law. The company cannot hide behind its employees; the California Penal Code makes the corporation itself criminally responsible. We urge District Attorney Laugero to hold Agresti Calf Ranch accountable.”

Agresti Calf Ranch is the calf-raising arm of Double D Dairies, a supplier of milk to Clover Sonoma. Both Agresti Calf Ranch and Double D Dairies are owned and operated by the Agresti family, including Dominic Agresti-Assali who is featured prominently on Clover’s website. In response to inquiries from the LA Times, Clover said it had suspended Double D Dairies after becoming aware of the documented abuse, but the suspension was temporary and Clover has already reinstated Double D. 

Clover has also tried to distance itself from Agresti Calf Ranch, stating on its social media and website that no calves at Agresti were used in its milk supply. This is a misdirection as the new calf ranch opened a year ago and the calves are still too young to produce milk. The reality is the calves suffering at Agresti have been separated from their mothers so that Clover can sell the milk meant for them. Clover Sonoma markets its products as humane-certified, but DxE’s findings call into question how Clover actually vets its producers. 

“If Agresti is unable to properly train its workers, it must be held accountable for the animal cruelty they’re inflicting on calves,” said Lewis Bernier, a factory farm investigator with DxE. “District Attorney Laugero has been sent many emails with our drone video footage and links to the LA Times article providing in-depth coverage of what’s happening at Agresti, and he needs to act now.”

Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) investigates farms, slaughterhouses, and other facilities to document abuses and rescue sick and injured animals. DxE’s investigatory work has been featured in The New York Times, WIRED, and Vox. In 2022, DxE activists won the first-ever acquittal in an open rescue case. Visit DxE on Instagram, Facebook, X, Bluesky, and at directactioneverywhere.com.

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